Page 79 of Pucking Secret

“You’re incredible,” I tell her.

Before she can respond, I toss my gloves and stick to the ice and reach up, pulling myself halfway over the boards. Her eyes widen in surprise, but she doesn’t back away as I lean in and kiss her.

The crowd erupts again, but this time it’s for us. Cameras flash all around, and I know this moment will be everywhere by tomorrow morning, but I don’t care.

Stacey pulls back slightly, her eyes searching mine. “Owen...”

“Let ’em look,” I say softly, smiling. “I’ve got nothing to hide anymore.”

The post-game energy is contagious. After the win, we shower, change, and head out to celebrate. The team has settled on a bar in downtown Nashville, a spot with a live band and enough room for us to blow off some steam. When we get there, the place is already packed. Jensen and Carson head for the bar and the rest of the guys scatter, some going to the dance floor, others mingling with the locals.

I stick close to Stacey, my hand brushing hers as we weave through the crowd. She looks so damn good in my old jersey and her tight jeans. Part of me doesn’t even want to bother with this bar. I just want to go back to the hotel and sneak into her room. Every time I glance at her, I’m hit with a fresh wave of desire that I have to keep in check so I don’t drag her to a dark corner.

It’s not long before we spot Grace and Skyler at a table near the back, laughing with another woman I don’t immediately recognize. She’s pretty, with long wavy blonde hair falling around her shoulders. As we approach, she turns her mossy green eyes our way. Her smile widens, and it’s more than the type of plain, polite smile you might get from a stranger — she seems genuinely happy to see us. As if we’re old friends already. Is she already drunk, or really that friendly?

“Hey!” Stacey greets the women, her voice rising to be heard over the noise. Grace grins and waves us over.

“Stacey! I want you to meet Rylee,” Grace says, motioning to the grinning blonde. “Rylee, this is Stacey and Owen. Rylee went to college with me and Sky.”

Rylee gives Stacey an energetic wave as she beams up at her.

“I’ve heard a lot about you!” she exclaims

Stacey smiles back, her posture relaxing. “All good things, I hope.”

“Mostly that you’re super smart, very sweet, and have an adorable little girl,” Rylee declares.

“All true,” Stacey chuckles.

Rylee pats the chair next to her. “Come and sit. Your boy-toy can join too, if he wants.”

“Be warned,” Skyler chirps. “Rylee’s already scared off Jensen and Carson.”

Grace nods and laughs. “Jensen hasn’t seen you since Miami, Ry. He wasn’t prepared to face all your crazy right off the bat.”

“And Carson didn’t stand a chance,” Skyler adds, beaming. “My poor baby…he never really believed the stories I told about you.”

Rylee snorts. “It’s not my fault you’ve both fallen in love with man-babies. Maybe Stacey’s guy can actually hang with the cool kids.”

“It’d probably be helpful if you didn’t rant about your on-again-off-again ex,” Grace suggests. “And, you know, declare that all men are pigs.”

Shrugging, Rylee replies, “All the men I date seem to be.”

“You know,” I pipe in. “I’m going to let you girls have some time.” I drop a kiss on Stacey’s head as she sits at their table. “I’ll be by the bar.”

Moving to the bar nearby, I order a beer and watch the girls from a distance. They seem to fall into easy conversation, and I smile, glad that Stacey is able to have a night of fun with her friends. As I’m leaning against the bar, my phone buzzes. I grab it and see that Elise is calling. With a sigh, I ignore the call. I don’t want to think about her or anything going on back in Canada tonight. There will be plenty of time to deal with all that later. After an hour or so passes, the music shifts to something slow and sultry, and I’ve decided I’ve shared her for long enough.Making my way back to their table, I lean over to whisper in Stacey’s ear.

“Dance with me.”

She looks up at me, her eyes wide, but she nods. I take her hand, leading her toward the dance floor.

The lights are dim and the music is pulsing. I pull Stacey close, my hands resting on her hips as she loops hers around my neck. Her body presses closer, her breath warm against my neck. I can feel the heat building between us. When she grinds her hips against me, I let out a low growl.

“You’re playing with fire,” I murmur, my voice rough.

She tilts her head to meet my gaze, a sly smile curving her lips. “Maybe I like the burn.”

It’s like a match striking against flint. The tension snaps, and I lean in, capturing her mouth with mine. The world around us disappears until it’s just the music, the heat of her body against mine, and the electric current running through my veins.

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